‘Stick to the music’: DJ Eric Prydz has Twitter row with disease specialist after arguing that the ‘solution’ to the coronavirus pandemic is for ‘all healthy people to get it’
DJ Eric Prydz has been forced to apologise after being slammed by health workers on Twitter for spreading dangerous coronavirus advice.
The Swedish DJ and producer, 43, sparked online backlash on Monday when he declared that ‘all healthy people’ need to contract coronavirus and social distancing would merely ‘prolong’ the situation.
Prydz, who rose to fame with his 2004 hit single Call on Me, entered a row with an Australian Government Department of Health specialist who suggested the DJ ‘stick to music.’
Criticism: DJ Eric Prydz has been forced to apologise after being slammed by a health worker on Twitter for spreading dangerous coronavirus advice
The row began after Prydz, who has 917k followers, tweeted that the global government advice of self isolation would not work.
‘Solution is for ALL Healthy people to get it. And the risk zone people to be Quarantined. If we stay at home we will just prolong the procedure,’ the DJ wrote in the since deleted tweet.
The comment prompted outrage among the DJ’s followers. One follower replied with: ‘I’m a big fan but as a doctor I have to reiterate that spreading the disease risks millions of lives.’
Dangerous: The Swedish DJ and producer, 43, sparked online backlash on Monday when he declared that ‘all healthy people’ need to contract coronavirus
‘If the healthcare system becomes stretched out, then even young healthy lives are at risk after an accident or injury. Everyone has to be responsible even legends!’
Another agreed, replying: ‘This is an incredibly dumb take, there’s no way to guarantee that some of those “healthy” infected won’t still suffer some long term damage, or still accidentally spread it to those at risk.’
But Prydz replied: ‘You are dumb Think’.
Dangerous: The comment prompted outrage among the DJ’s followers. One replied with: ‘I’m a big fan but as a doctor I have to reiterate that spreading the disease risks millions of lives.’
Sticking to his guns: Prydz was defiant, tweeting that he can still ‘come to conclusions’ despite his line of work
Prydz was defiant, also tweeting that he can still ‘come to conclusions’ despite his line of work.
‘You know who I am. But I can still open a book and come to conclusions. Can you? This is not a d**k measuring contest. You do what you do. Too a level.. I hope that you aren’t in the front. I’m lease look at history with corona viruses and others.’
One Tweeter, tweeting under the handle @cbskinner01 told Prydz ‘Stick to the music. We love you as an artist, but you’re not an epidemiologist so steer clear of giving health advice brother. It’s dangerous and unwise.’
The DJ replied ‘Use your brain. This. Are you?’ receiving a prompt reply as his follower explained: ‘I’ve got 2 Public Health degrees and I work for the Australian Government Department of Health with a background in Statistics and Epidemiology. So yeah, kinda man. What about you?’
Here we go: Prydz, who rose to fame with his 2004 hit single Call on Me, then entered a row with an Australian Government Department of Health specialist
Expert: One Tweeter, tweeting under the handle @cbskinner01 told Prydz ‘Stick to the music. We love you as an artist, but you’re not an epidemiologist’
Ouch: The DJ replied ‘Use your brain. This. Are you,’ receiving a prompt reply as his follower explained: ‘I’ve got 2 Public Health degrees’
Hero: The tweeter continued that it was ‘disappointing when your heroes make uninformed comments that likely have influence among their millions of followers’
‘Absolutely not here to measure up. Just disappointing when your heroes make uninformed comments that likely have influence among their millions of followers. It’s irresponsible, but that’s on you mate.’ he continued.
The message got through to Prydz who later apologised for his tweets, writing: ‘I sincerely apologise for any offence or confusion caused by my earlier comments. I think it’s safe to say that we all are freaking out right now! Please make sure you and your loved ones stay safe in this very difficult time.’
He promised to adhere to his fans’ advice and said ‘in future I will stick to making music…’
Sorry: The message got through to Prydz who later apologised for his tweets, writing: ‘I sincerely apologise for any offence or confusion caused’
Sticking to the guidelines: The DJ updated fans on Tuesday as he joked about his ‘quarantine options’, sharing a photo of his alcohol supply